Fouquet



Malfch 24, 1964 E, FOUQUET 3,125,832

MACHINERY FOR CUTTING PLATES I Filed July 25, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1ATTorLNEsS Mardi 24, 1964 E. FouQuET 3,125,832

MACHINERY Fok CUTTING PLATES Filed July 25, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet,l 2

*El I ATT OfLNSS March 24, 1964 E, FOUQUET 3,125,832

MACHINERY FOR CUTTING PLATES Filed July 25, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 AllA... A* A'" /Nvmroe ATTORNEB March 24, 1964 E. FOUQUET MACHINERY FoRCUTTING PLATES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 25, 1960 United StatesPatent() 3,125,S32 MACHINERY FOR CUTTING PLATES Eugne Fouquet, 63-bisRue Jean Jaures, Bois-Coiombes, France Filed July 2S, 1960, Ser. No.45,058 Ciaims priority, application France July 27, 1959 11 Claims. (Cl.51-33) The subject of the present invention is machinery for cutting bygrinding at high speed, plates, more particularly plates of largedimensions, thin or thick, without the said plates undergoingdeformation and whilst permitting perfectly rectilinear edges to beobtained.

The subject of the present invention embraces a particularly originalmachine capable of applying industrially, systematically andeconomically a means for cutting plates of all kinds, and it comprisesin combination at least one cutting device formed by at least onegrinding wheel and mechanisms necessary to drive the grinding wheel inits characteristic simultaneous movements of rotation, oscillation andtranslation along the plate; by at least one guide and travelling Way ofthe cutting device; by a mechanism for driving the cutting device in analternating longitudinal translational movement over the whole extent ofthe line of cut; of a support or table to fasten the plate to be cutfirmly and correctly in the presence of the cutting device; by the meansfor fastening the plate to be cut on the support or table; by a meansfor shaping and lubricating the grinding wheel whilst it is working;

by the means to shift the grinding wheel and its shaping and lubricatingdevices periodically after each cut towards the plate, and to shift theshaping and lubricating devices towards the grinding wheel so as to makeallowance for the peripheral wear thereof, by a means to collect anddischarge the cutting waste, and preferably but by way of an addition,by a centralised control and supervision station to take over the normaloperation of this machine.

In addition to the fundamental character of the machinery, the inventionlikewise relates to a number of new arrangements which determine in themachine, technical effects which are particularly favorable to rationalfunctioning, faultless work and really surprising output.

These characteristics and results will emerge more clearly from thedetailed description of the essential elements of such a machine, whichare illustrated in an adequate manner in the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view in elevation of a machine constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic View in plan of the machine in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an elevation with partial section showing more particularlythe mechanisms contained in the casing marked A in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a similar view to FIGURE 3, but showing different sectionsof the said casing A;

FIGURE 5 represents the same mechanisms contained in the casing A,according to sections at right angles to those in FIGURES 3 and 4;

FIGURE 6 represents, in plan with various sections, the same mechanismscontained in the casing A;

FIGURE 7 shows schematically, in two characteristic positions, acomplementary device for fastening the plate on its support duringcutting;

FIGURE 8 shows, in elevation, a lubricating nozzle;

FIGURE 9 is a section along the line IX-IX in FIG- URE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a section along the line X-X in FIG- URE 8;

FIGURE 11 is a schematic section along the line XI-XI in FIGURE 3.

In the example illustrated the machine subject of the Hee invention isconstituted in the following manner: a casing A carried by twolongitudinal rails 1 2, through the intermediary of four shoes, S-d and5 6, is capable of being moved by sliding along the rails 1-2 in twoopposite directions over the entire length L, which determines themaximum cutting-off length of the machine.

The drive of the casing A in its alternating longitudinal movements isperformed by an electric motor 7, the shaft of which carries a toothedpinion 9 engaging with a rack 10 fastened to one of the aforesaid rails,in fact to the rail 1 and along the entire length thereof.

The cutting device properly speaking is constituted by at least onegrinding Wheel Il secured on a spindle l2 and clamped between two cheeksifa-I4.

The grinding wheel I1 and its spindle 12 revolve in the centre of a boss15 which is itself pivoted and locked axially by the rings 16 and i7positioned, at each of its ends, against the upper boring of each of thearms 18 and 19, the lower portion of the arms being journalledconcentrically with the shaft 2li of the motor 2l through theintermediary of ball bearings 22-23.

This group has the form of a portal, the transverse boss 15 of whichactuates two toothed segments 24-25 engaging in the teeth of two curvedracks, 2d and 2'7 respectively, and running on the trac is Z3-Z9 onwhich rest the rollers 35)-31 respectively. This group concentric withthe main axis B-B is also concentric with that of the shaft 2li of themotor 2l, in such a manner that the oscillations obtained with the aidof a connecting-rod 32 integral with the aforesaid transverse boss 15are parallel to the said axis B-B. This connecting-rod 32 is driven bythe adjustable connecting-rod 33 pivoted on the stud 34 radiallyadjustable in a slide 35 by means of a screw 36 pivoted in the bearing37 and actuated through the square end 38. The iiywheel 39, keyed andpivoted by its spindle 4t? in the brackets Lil-42, is drivenrotationally by the belts 43 passing over the pulleys 44a- 45, thelatter being keyed on the shaft 20 of the motor 21. The motor ispositioned inside the prismatic casing A. Mounted on one of theside-pieces of this casing A' is the bracket A which is supported on thenut 46 through the intermediary of the sliding pads 47-48 which in turnare supported on the journals 49-50 integral with the aforesaid nut 46mounted on the threads of the screw 51. This screw is held by the upperfixed block 52 and lower iixed block 53 in the reduction gear-casing A.Mounted on the opposite sidepiece of the prismatic casing A is thearticulated bracket A" pivoted in the bearings 54E-55- 56-57 through theintermediary of the shaft 58. It follows that when the screw 51 isturned the group formed by the prismatic casing A and the two bracketsA-A' is able to move closer to or farther from the plate T in proportionto the cutting requirements. At the end of the grinding wheel spindle i2is mounted a pulley 59 connected by a belt 60 to a second pulley 61keyed onto the said shaft 20 attached to the drive motor 2l by any knownmeans (not shown).

Inside the casing A and integral with the false casing A are located theshaping device enabling the shaping of the grinding wheel, as well asdevices for the sharpening of the grits, the compensation for grindingwheel wear and that of the lubrication bases, to be synchronized from asingle control. These devices consist essentially of a head 62 carryingthe diamonds 63. The head is integral with the shaft 64 which passeswith gentle friction axially through an externally threaded rod 65housed in the boss 66 and engaging in the threaded central hole of ahelicoidal wheel 67 fitted into a housing 68 forming part of the boss66, in such manner that the helicoidal wheel 67 is able to turn aboutits axis without undergoing transverse movements. This wheel 67 iscapable of being driven by an endless screw 69 keyed onto the shaft 79onto which is likewise keyed the sprocket wheel 71 driven by the chain72. The shaft 64 is prolonged downwards by a longitudinal slottedsection 73 on which is mounted in a slidable manner a grooved pulley 74arranged so as to be engaged in the lower portion of the boss 66 so thatit can be driven to rotate about its axis only, whilst permittinglongitudinal sliding movements of the slotted section 73, or of theshaft 64, driving by virtue thereof the diamond head 61E-63. Supportedon this pulley is a cable '75 of which one end is anchored at a fixedpoint 76 of the false casing A', whereas the other end is Secured to oneend of a spring 77, the other end of which is anchored at a fixed point7S likewise integral with the false casing A'.

The aforesaid threaded rod 65 has in its upper portion a longitudinalslot 79 in which is engaged a dog 80 integral with the correspondinginternal portion of the boss 66. This arrangement enables the threadedrod 65 to move axially without turning about its axis. The boss 66 issecured to the first connecting-rod 18 of the oscillating portal.

The device which has just been described provides for the shaping toolto be set in motion periodically by the oscillating action of theportal. The need should also be borne in mind to move the grinding wheeland its shaping and lubricating devices, after each run, towards theplate to be cut for the purpose of a fresh run, and to shift the shapingand lubricating devices towards the grinding wheel in order tocompensate the peripheral wear thereof. To this end, the aforesaid chain72 coming from the sprocket wheel 71 connects the latter with the chainwheel S1 keyed onto the shaft 32. Likewise keyed onto the latter are theratchet wheel 83 and an endless screw 84. This last engages continuouslywith the helicoidal wheel S5 keyed to the lower end of the aforesaidthread rod 51 of the oscillating device for the casing A-A"-A". Mountedloosely on the shaft 82 is a small beam 86 on which is articulated bythe pivot 87 a pawl S3 continuously engaged in the aforesaid ratchetwheel 83, and one end of the beam 86 is articulated by a pivot 89 to theend of a connecting-rod 90, the other end of which is articulated by thepivot 91 to a small lever 92, articulated in turn by the pivot 93 to theouter casing A. Also attached to the aforesaid pivot S9 is one end of alinkrod 94, the other end of which terminates in a manual control handle95. This link-rod 94 passes through apertures 96 in the outer casing A.Level with the second free end of the beam 86 and with the free end ofthe lever 92, towards the two limits of travel of the casing A, arearranged fixed stops, 97-98 respectively. These stops are movable, oradjustable, so as to allow of precise determination of the automaticcontrol moments of the beam $6, of the lever g2, and of the organsdriven by the same.

Moreover, the aforesaid beam 86 carries a needle 99 which is able tomove between two electrical contactors 10d-161, the latter being capableof operation by the needle; moreover, the aforesaid lever 92 is integralwith a needle 102 capable of moving between two electrical contactors16S- 16M and of actuating the latter alternately. These electricalcontactors 1li@ to 104 control respectively, the feed circuit and thedirection or rotation of the motor 7 which provides for the alienatinglongitudinal movements of the external casing A and of all the organscarried thereby.

For the purpose of effecting continuous lubrication of the grindingwheel 11 during its work phases, the following lubricating device isprovided: the aforesaid connecting-rod 1S of the oscillating portal hastwo lateral arms 1tiS-1iP6, each terminating at the end in a tubularguide, 16W-166 respectively, positioned as closely as possible to thecorresponding face of the grinding wheel; the same connecting-rod 1Sfurther has beneath the lateral arms two other lateral arms, 109--110respectively, provided with an orice coaxial to the said correspondingtubular guide. Passing through these tubular guides and orifices withgentle friction are two pipes, 111-112 respectively, each emerging froma union, 113-114 respectively, mounted on a hose 115 emerging from alubricant supply tank having a suitable, and known, injection pump (notshown). The pipes 111-112 ow into the inlet of a nozzle, 116-117respectively, to which they are attached by a union, 118--119respectively, such that the nozzles are brought into the plane of thegrinding wheel 11.

It is important that the nozzles should be maintained in a virtuallyconstant position, both with reference to the grinding wheel and withrespect to the surface of the plate acted on by the grinding wheel. Ittherefore follows that the nozzles must be moved automatically with thegrinding wheel proportionally to the advance thereof in the thickness ofthe plate, and with reference to the grinding wheel proportionally tothe peripheral wear thereof, in other words to the progressive reductionin its diameter. The first condition is met by the fact that thelubricating system in common with the grinding wheel is integral withthe oscillating portal, which in turn is integral with the false casingA.

The second condition is met by the fact that in addition, the positionof the lubricating system is controlled by the mutually relativepositions of the above-described shaping device and of the grindingwheel. To this end, there are supported on the connecting-rod 16 of theoscillating portal, through the intermediary of two spindles 12d-121,two grooved pulleys, 122-123 respectively. A cable 124 (is) attached byone end to the aforesaid union 113 of the lubricating pipe rests uponthe grooved pulley 122 and is secured by its other end to a swivellinganchorage 12S mounted loosely at the end of the slotted section 73 ofthe shaping device; moreover, a second cable, 126 is attached by one endto the aforesaid union 114 of the lubricating pipes; this cable rests onthe second grooved pulley 123 and is attached by its other end to adiametrically opposed point of the same swivelling anchorage 125.Coacting with this device for regulating the position of the lubricatingsystem, return springs, 127-128, are also provided around the aforesaidtubular pipes 111-112 and braced at one end against the arms 10Q-116 andat the other end on shoulders 129- f' 13@ respectively, integral withthe tubular pipes.

As regards the lubricating nozzlesproperly speaking 116--117, theyshould preferably be made as shown in diagram in FIGURES 8 to l0, by thejuxtaposition of two fiat shells 131-132 mutually fitted and unified,shells exhibiting a progressively diminishing cross-section of thegeneral form schematized in particular in FIGURE 8.

The rear portion of these nozzles is attached between a cheek 133 and aplate 134 by means of screws 135. The cheek 133 preferably forms part ofthe aforesaid unions 118-119 into which extend the tubular pipes 111-112respectively.

In order to obviate any premature deformation of the nozzles, theypossess internal spacers 136, which enables the aforesaid shells 131-132to be made of a thin, light material. The outlet width e of thesenozzles will preferably be less than the width E of the grinding wheel,or of the cutting kerf, in such a manner that, resulting from thisarrangement, at least the end of the nozzles can enter progressivelyinto the cutting kerf and thus effect lubrication under virtuallyconstant conditions.

All these elements, which constitute the essential portion of themachine, are integral with the casing A or coact therewith.

The machine further possesses the following complementary devices:between the two aforesaid rails 1-2 is provided a pit 137, over theentire length of which extends an Archimedean screw 138 terminating at acollecting shaft 139. This'Archimedean screw is driven rotationally byany appropriate manual or automatic means. In fact, the spindle of thisArchimedean screw carries a chain wheel 140 connected by a chain 141 toa second chain wheel 142, the spindle of which carries a control wheel143.

This control device may be carried by a central control station 144surmounted by a main switchboard 145 carrying the various operating,control and safety instruments, especially of the electrical circuitsand fluid under pressure.

In order to secure the plate during cutting, use may be made of asuitable table. In fact, the latter is constituted, in an advantageousembodiment, such as illustrated particularly in FIGURES l, 2 and 7, byan apron 146 extending over a length greater than the greatest length ofplate to be cut, and supported laterally with an overhang by pillars 147on which it rests through the intermediary of feet 148, the pillarsbearing on the underlying ground or bed 149 through the intermediary offeet 150. The apron 146 is arranged in such a manner that one of itslongitudinal edges 151 is located close to the rectilinear trajectory tobe followed by the grinding wheel 11. The overhanging apron 146 isbalanced by a number of horizontal joist sections 152 supported bypillars 153 which likewise bear on the underlying ground or bed 149through the intermediary of distributing feet 154.

Facing the longitudinal edge 151 of the apron 146 are arranged, here andthere, apron sections 155 firmly secured at the head of pillars 156through the intermediary of feet 157, the pillars bearing on theunderlying ground or bed 149 by distributing feet 15S. The edge of everyone of these apron sections 155 directed towards the aforesaid apron 146is in the same alignment, and this alignment is at a slight distancefrom and parallel to the aforesaid longitudinal edge 151 of the apron146. A passage has thus been created, as narrow as possible, butsufficient to permit the grinding wheel to reach and to traverse theplate T supported simultaneously by the apron 146 and the apron sections155.

In order to facilitate handling of the plate T on the apron 146, thelatter and also the balancing joists 152 may carry, suitablydistributed, ball or other supports of known type (not shown).

In order easily to secure the plate T simultaneously on the apron 146and the apron sections 155, there may be provided and iixed in line withthe adjacent edges of either or each of them, and in the thicknessthereof, magnetic elements such as permanent magnets or electromagnets159-169- These magnetic elements may be continuous over the entirelength of the aprons and/ or apron sections, or localised here andthere.

Use might likewise be made-possibly by way of an addition-of aretractable magnetic device. The latter might be made in an extremelysimple manner, as summarily illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 7. To this end,the girders constituting the pillars 156 would each have an orice intheir upper portion; all these orifices would be aligned and passedthrough by a shaft 161; keyed onto the latter would be overhanging arms162, the free ends of which would be joined by a sectioned side girder163 serving as a support for one or several electromagnetic devices 164.This device will preferably be continuous and the windings of theelectromagnets will be fed by an electrical circuit controlled by a handswitch capable of being conveniently operated to secure and releaserespectively the plate T. This retractable device will preferably beoperated by hand through the intermediary of a crank wheel 165 connectedto the aforesaid common shaft 161 by any appropriate kinematic means(not shown) such as for example conical gears and suitable linkages.

The functioning of this machine is substantially as follows: the plate Tis placed correctly on the apron 146 and apron sections 155. Itsposition is correct when the line of cut is juxtaposed to the continuousspace separating the apron and apron sections; it is then locatedexactly in the median plane of the grinding wheel 11. The

plate T is firmly secured by the magnetic or electromagnetic elements.At the outset the casing A is located in the right-hand position,illustrated by solid lines in FIG- URES 1 and 2. By operation of theswitches for this purpose carried, for example, by the main controlboard 145, the circuits of the drive motor 7 of the casing A and of thedrive motor 21 of the main shaft 20, are closed.

It is thus obtained that the casing A commences its translationalmovement from right to left by rotation of the toothed pinion 9 and itscontinuous engagement with the rack 10 integral with the rail 1. Theseelements constitute a reciprocating mechanism. Simultaneously the secondmotor constituting driving means, carried by the false casing A', drivesthe main shaft 20, which controls firstly the rotational movement of thegrinding wheel 11 and secondly the oscillatory movement of the portal.The rotating mechanism produces the rotational movement of the grindingwheel by the driving of the spindle 12 of the grinding wheel through theintermediary of the pulleys 59-61 and of the belt 60. The oscillatingmechanism produces the oscillatory movement of the portal, andconsequently also of the grinding wheel, through the intermediary of thegrooved pulley 45, of the shaft 40, of the disc 39, of the cranked disc34, of the adjustable connecting-rod 33, of the connecting-rod 32 and ofthe bush 15. The latter is supported through the intermediary of thearms 18-19 on the bearings 22-23; simultaneously, the portal iscontinuously supported, by the smooth crowns 30-31, on the correspondingroller paths, 28-29 respectively, whilst the toothed crowns 24-25 engagewith the corresponding racks, 26-27 respectively. In this manner, notonly is the portal positively driven in its oscillatory movement, but itis likewise very accurately centred, supported and balanced, thusimparting to the grinding wheel maximum stability in its translation,rotation and oscillation. In its triple movement of advance, rotationand oscillation, the grinding wheel ploughs a furrow in the plate T ifthe latter is comparatively thick, or cuts it directly in the case ofsmaller thicknesses.

Whilst the grinding wheel is cutting, the diamond head 62-63 is set inalternating rotary movement by the fact that the grooved wheel 74follows the oscillatory movements of the arm 18, whilst the cable 75 isindependent of these oscillatory movements, whence results a frictionalmovement first in one direction then in the other, between the cable andthe grooved wheel, thus bringing about the alternating rotation of thelatter and in consequence the driving in the same direction of theslotted section 73, of the rod 64 and of the diamond head 62-63.

The variations in length of the cable 75, whilst maintaining suficienttension between this cable and the grooved wheel 74, are renderedpossible by the presence of the spring 77. This results in the grindingwheel 11 being continuously shaped during its cutting work. Thelubricant is projected forcibly by the nozzles 116-117 at the point ofattack of the grinding Wheel. When the limit of travel is reached in theposition shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1, the beam 86 encounters thestop 97 and is forced by the latter to turn, driving the shaft 32 andthe pawl 83, before being restored to its initial position by anysuitable means of return. The pawl S8 in turn drives through acorresponding angle the ratchet wheel 83, which through the intermediaryof the endless screw 84 and of the helicoidal wheel 85, causes thethreaded rod 51 to turn about its axis. This rotational movement causesthe special nut 46 to be raised by a proportional amount, driving thefalse casing A in a circular movement about the shaft 58. The aboveconstitute the iirst shifting means.

During this time, the casing A has been able to undergo a slighttranslational movement with reference to the special nut 46, Whichtherefore renders possible 7 at the same time, the circular movement ofthe false casing A' and the strictly rectilinear movement of the specialnut 46.

In this circular movement, the false casing A has driven all the organswhich it carries, in particular the oscillating portal, and hence alsothe grinding Wheel 11. The latter is thus ready for a fresh run.Simultaneously, the needle 99 carried by the aforesaid beam 86 hasopened the switch 1d@ and has closed the switch 101, which will reversethe direction of rotation of the motor 7. The above constitute thereversing means.

It follows that the casing A moves from left to right, Y

whilst the grinding wheel effects a fresh cutting run. Moreover, thecircular movement of the false casing A', which means also the shiftingof the grinding wheel 11 towards the plate, must be accompanied by acorresponding shift of the shaping tool to make allowance for the wearof the grinding wheel. This shift is effected by the second shiftingmeans, namely by the fact that the beam S6 has driven the helicoidalWheel 67 by a corresponding amount, through the intermediary of theendless screw 69, the chain wheel 71, the chain 72, the second chainwheel S1 and the shaft 82.

As it turned, the helicoidal wheel 67 shifted the externally threadedrod 65 axially by a corresponding amount. The latter shifts axially by acorresponding amount with reference to the boss 66, thus driving homethe diamond head 62-63, which approaches by the amount corresponding tothe radial wear of the grinding wheel. Similarly, each circular movementof the false casing A must be accompanied by a relative readjustment ofthe nozzles 116-117 with reference to the grinding wheel in order toallow likewise for the reduction in diameter of the latter. Thisreadjustment is effected automatically by the fact that, in its axialmovement, the diamond head 62-63 drives the rod 64, the slotted section73, the swivelling anchorage 125, and exerts a traction upon the cables124-4126, this traction being transmitted to the two tubular pipes111--112 and also to the piping 116-117, which thereby moves closer bythe appropriate amount to the periphery of the grinding wheel, so thatits relative position with reference to the latter is virtuallyconstant. When the casing A reaches its limit of return travel, thelever 92 encounters the stop 93. The latter forces the lever to turnabout its shaft 93, driving the beam 86 through the intermediary of theconnecting-rod 96, which sets going a fresh operating cycle such as hasbeen described, the direction of rotation of the motor 7 being once morereversed by the operation of the switch 103 for that purpose through theintermediary of the needle 102. All the operations are repeated, and soon up to the total cutting-olf of the plate T The reversing movementsmight possibly be brought about manually by exerting traction on thehandle 95.

The offcuts of the plate are supported by the apron sections 155. Thecutting waste falls by gravity into the pit 137 and is collected intothe shaft 139 by the rotating Archimedean screw 138. The setting inrotation of the said Archimedean screw may take place periodically, forexample by the periodical manual operation of the cranked wheel 143carried by the central control station 144.

lt is self-evident that the construction of this machine may be variedwithin the scope of the inventive concept herein disclosed.

What I claim is:

l. Machine for cutting plates, particularly plates of hard metal, saidmachine comprising, in combination, at least one grinding Wheel having acentral rotation spindle, a rotating mechanism rotating said grindingwheel about said central rotation spindle, an oscillating mechanismoscillating said grinding wheel about an axis parallel to said centralspindle, driving means driving simultaneously said rotating mechanismand said oscillating mechanism, a

8 reciprocating mechanism moving jointly said grinding wheel, saidrotating mechanism and oscillating mechanism longitudinally along a lineof cut formed by said Y grinding wheel upon a plate, reversing meansautomatically reversing the direction of the longitudinal movement, ashaping device continuously shaping said grinding wheel, a lubricatingdevice continuously lubricating said grinding wheel, first shiftingmeans shifting step by step said grinding wheel jointly with saidshaping device and said lubricating device towards said plate at the endof each longitudinal movement along said line of cut, andY secondshifting means shifting said shaping device and said lubricating devicetoward said grinding Wheel at the end of each longitudinal movementthereof to compensate for the peripheral reduction of said grindingwheel.

2. Machine according to claim 1, comprising a casing carrying saidgrinding wheel, said rotating mechanism, said oscillating mechanism,said reciprocating mechanism, said shaping device and said lubricatingdevice, said machine further comprising guideways extending over alength of said plate and carrying said casing. 3. Machine according toclaim 1, wherein said driving means comprise an electric motor having ashaft, wherein said rotating mechanism comprises a first transmissionmeans intercoupling said shaft and said central rotation spindle of saidgrinding Wheel, whereby said spindle and said grinding wheel are rotatedwhen said shaft is rotated, wherein said oscillating mechanism comprisesa portal device and a second transmission means, said portal devicecomprising a middle lever carrying said central rotation spindle and twolateral connecting-rods having articulated ends, said secondtransmission means intiercoupling said shaft and said middle lever,whereby said portal device, said spindle and said grinding wheel areoscillated about said articulated ends of the connecting-rods when saidshaft is rotated.

4 Machine according to claim 3, comprising a false casing, a mobilecasing movable along said plate, said ends of said two lateralconnecting-rods being articulated to said false casing, said falsecasing being housed and articulated in said mobile casing.

52 Machine according to claim 4, wherein said portal device comprises atubular sleeve concentric with said central rotation spindle and joiningthe other ends of said tw o lateral connecting-rods, said tubular sleevecarrying said .middle lever and being integrated with said centralrotation spindle, whereby said spindle may freely rotate while beingoscillated, said middle lever being articulated to said secondtransmission means, said tubular sleeve having a smooth ring and atoothed segment on either side of said middle lever, a smooth roller-wayand a rack integ'ral with said false casing, said ring and said segmenta'einlg supported on said roller-way and said rack, respecive y.

6: Machine according to claim 4, wherein said shaping device comprises adiamond head, a smooth rod having a longitudinally channelled sectionand carrying said diamond head, an externally threaded tubular element,said smooth rod extending longitudinally through said tubular element, aboss integral with one of said connecting-rods of said portal device;said tubular element being housed in said boss, a housing containingsaid boss, a helicoidal wheel fitted into said housing and engaging saidtubular element so as to turn freely without being displaced axially; anendless screw, said helicoidal wheel engaging said endless screw, saidendless screw comprising a spindle, said reversing means comprising areversing element associated with said spindle and automaticallyoperated at the limit of longitudinal travel of the grinding wheel, agrooved pulley connected with the said boss, whereby said pulley mayturn, driving said smooth rod While permitting the latter to shiftaxially, said grooved pulley engaging the channelled section of saidsmooth rod, a cable engaged in said grooved pulley, one end of saidcable being secured to said false casing, a spring secured t0 Said falsecasing, the other ends of said cable being secured to said spring.

7. Machine according to claim 4, wherein said shaping device comprises asmooth rod and wherein said lubricating device comprises two mutuallyopposed nozzles, two pipes retained and guided by the lateral arms ofone of said connecting-rods of said portal device, each nozzle beingpositioned at the end of a separate pipe, a hose for the delivery of thelubricant under pressure; said pipes being connected to said hose, agrooved pulley, two cables fixed at the axis of each of said two pipes,one of the ends of the two cables passing over said grooved pulley, theaxis of said grooved pulley being integral with said false casing, and aswivelling anchorage provided at the lower extremity of the smooth rodof said shaping device, the other ends of the said cables being securedto two diametrically opposite points of said anchorage.

8. Machine according to claim 4, wherein said lubricating devicecomprises nozzles located so that their mouths are at a level slightlybelow the highest generatrix of said grinding wheel.

9. Machine according to claim 4, wherein said first shifting meanscomprises a small articulated lever carried by said false casing, a xedend-of-travel stop coacting with said lever, a second end-of-travelstop; a small beam coacting with said second stop, another connectingrod connected with said small articulated lever and said beam, a pawl, athreaded rod, a nut, said threaded rod passing through said nut, aratchet wheel driving rotationally said threaded rod, a box integralwith said false casing, said nut being housed in said box, whereby uponeach angular 10 end-of-travel movement, the false casing is driven bysaid nut in an angular movement in order to bring the grinding wheelinto position for a fresh run.

10. Machine according to claim 4, wherein said second transmission meanscomprise a crank-stud, a connecting-arm having an end articulated to theend of said middle lever, and another end articulated to said crankstud;a slide piece, a crank disc, said crank-stud being integral with saidslide-piece and being guided diametrically in said crank disc, and anintercoupling device coupled with said crank disc and said motor shaft,the axis of said crank disc being driven through said intercouplingdevice by said motor shaft.

11. Machine according to claim 10 wherein the lastmentionedconnecting-arm consists of two sections mutual- 0 ly fitted andintegrated so as to vary its length, said crankstud being radiallydisplaceable to regulate its excentricity.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,751,719 Reichel June 26, 1956 2,821,815 Banko Feb. 4, 1958 2,828,583Carlsen et al. Apr. 1, 1958 2,873,557 Markle Feb. 17, 1959 2,922,257Else Ian. 26, 1960 2,926,461 Banko Mar. 1, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 257,178Switzerland Sept. 30, 1948 854,209 France Apr. 8, 1940

1. MACHINE FOR CUTTING PLATES, PARTICULARLY PLATES OF HARD METAL, SAIDMACHINE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, AT LEAST ONE GRINDING WHEEL HAVING ACENTRAL ROTATION SPINDLE, A ROTATING MECHANISM ROTATING SAID GRINDINGWHEEL ABOUT SAID CENTRAL ROTATION SPINDLE, AN OSCILLATING MECHANISMOSCILLATING SAID GRINDING WHEEL ABOUT AN AXIS PARALLEL TO SAID CENTRALSPINDLE, DRIVING MEANS DRIVING SIMULTANEOUSLY SAID ROTATING MECHANISMAND SAID OSCILLATING MECHANISM, A RECIPROCATING MECHANISM MOVING JOINTLYSAID GRINDING WHEEL, SAID ROTATING MECHANISM AND OSCILLATING MECHANISMLONGITUDINALLY ALONG A LINE OF CUT FORMED BY SAID GRINDING WHEEL UPON APLATE, REVERSING MEANS AUTOMATICALLY REVERSING THE DIRECTION OF THELONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT, A SHAPING DEVICE CONTINUOUSLY SHAPING SAIDGRINDING WHEEL, A LUBRICATING DEVICE CONTINUOUSLY LUBRICATING SAIDGRINDING WHEEL, FIRST SHIFTING MEANS SHIFTING STEP BY STEP SAID GRINDINGWHEEL JOINTLY WITH SAID SHAPING DEVICE AND SAID LUBRICATING DEVICETOWARDS SAID PLATE AT THE END OF EACH LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT ALONG SAIDLINE OF CUT, AND SECOND SHIFTING MEANS SHIFTING SAID SHAPING DEVICE ANDSAID LUBRICATING DEVICE TOWARD SAID GRINDING WHEEL AT THE END OF EACHLONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT THEREOF TO COMPENSATE FOR THE PERIPHERAL REDUCTIONOF SAID GRINDING WHEEL.